17 Facts About Pong Tiku

Pong Tiku was born near Rantepao in the highlands of Sulawesi in 1846.

An athletic youth, Pong Tiku was friendly with coffee traders who visited his village.

Pong Tiku took an active role in a successful campaign against the neighbouring state, and when Pasusu was defeated Pong Tiku took his place as ruler of Baruppu'.

When, not long afterwards, Pong Tiku's father died, Pong Tiku became leader of Pangala'.

Pong Tiku, having sided with the Sidenreng leader Andi Guru, was able to retake the remains of the capital that night.

However, the remaining states soon began another series of struggles over the arms and slave trade, where states would exchange weapons for slaves; Pong Tiku participated in the trade.

Pong Tiku eventually formed an alliance with nearby Buginese leaders, which reduced tensions and improved trade; he learned the group's writing system and language, allowing him to easily correspond with Buginese leaders.

Pong Tiku instituted a tax system to fund these defensive measures: owners of rice fields were obligated to tax two-thirds of their produce, while other farmers were taxed ten per cent.

Pong Tiku, tasked with diverting the Dutch from the indefensible town of Rantepo, began to build his army and work on his defences.

In January 1906 Pong Tiku sent scouts to Sidareng and Sawitto, which the Dutch were invading, to observe their way of battle.

Aware of Pong Tiku's gathered forces and numerous fortresses, Kilian did not attempt a direct attack.

The failed expeditionary force led to open warfare between Pong Tiku, who went into hiding in his fortress at Buntu Batu, and Dutch troops.

Pong Tiku ordered the road sabotaged, extending the travel time from one day to five.

Pong Tiku himself was armed with a Portuguese rifle, spear, and labo.

Pong Tiku wore protective armour, a sepu, and a songkok with protrusions in the shape of buffalo horns, and carried a decorated shield.

Pong Tiku then made preparations to escape Dutch custody; he returned all property that he had taken as a lord, as he knew he would no longer use it.

However, this was poorly received in conquered areas such as Baruppu' and Sesean, where Pong Tiku was remembered as a man who killed others to steal their wives.